Green Valley of Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Freeman with a Private Chauffeur
Cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay poured in a wine cave among the redwoods, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Ken and Akiko Freeman met on September 28, 1985, when Hurricane Gloria sent Ken's yacht into port near his hometown of Scarsdale, New York. The date is carved into the keystone over their wine cave. They looked at more than 300 properties before settling in western Sonoma County, and they founded Freeman Vineyard & Winery in 2001 with consulting winemaker Ed Kurtzman. Akiko, a Tokyo native, learned the craft from him and now leads the winemaking.
The Gloria Vineyard, an 8-acre former apple orchard beside the winery, was planted to six Pinot Noir clones in 2006 and named for the hurricane. In 2007 the Freemans bought an 1860 sheep ranch four miles from the Pacific and planted the 14-acre Yu-ki Vineyard at about 1,000 feet, farmed organically from the start. They donated 22 acres of its redwood forest to the Bodega Land Trust.
Freeman makes small lots of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Green Valley and the West Sonoma Coast, and the San Francisco Chronicle has named it one of the Top 25 Wineries in Sonoma. Tastings are private and by appointment, in the cave or at picnic tables in the estate's redwood grove.
Tasting Fees
$50 for the private Estate Cave Tasting of current Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, about 60 minutes, Friday to Sunday. $50 for the self-guided Redwood Grove Tasting, up to 90 minutes, Friday to Sunday. $75 for the Cave Library Tasting of library and current Pinot Noir, about 60 minutes. $30 for the Fall Escape tastings in the cave or the redwood grove, Monday to Thursday. Tastings are complimentary for members.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
1300 Montgomery Road, Sebastopol
AVA
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Visiting
By appointment only. Estate Cave, Redwood Grove and Cave Library tastings run Friday to Sunday, and Fall Escape tastings Monday to Thursday.
Known For
Cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Gloria and Yu-ki estate vineyards
Founded
2001
Good to Know
Groups are limited to 6; larger groups email the winery. The Redwood Grove tastings are dog friendly, and guests may bring a picnic lunch. Kids and dogs are welcome at the Redwood Grove Lawn bottle service.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a west county hotel such as the Inn at Occidental or Farmhouse Inn in Forestville.
10:00 · Pickup at Inn at Occidental or Farmhouse Inn
The Inn at Occidental, in the redwood village of Occidental, is about 20 minutes from Freeman, and Farmhouse Inn, a 25-room inn on River Road in Forestville, about 25. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:25 · Freeman
The private Estate Cave Tasting, about 60 minutes ($50), or the Fall Escape tasting in the cave Monday to Thursday ($30).
11:40 · Emeritus Vineyards
About 15 minutes away. A Pinot Noir estate founded in 1999 by Brice Cutrer Jones, who built Sonoma-Cutrer, on Hallberg Ranch, which it calls the largest dry-farmed vineyard in Sonoma County. The Estate Tasting of five single-vineyard wines is $40, 60 to 90 minutes. Reservations suggested, walk-ins as space allows; open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
12:55 · Lunch at Handline
About 15 minutes away. A casual Sebastopol spot, open since 2016, with seasonal food from local farmers and fishermen, served mostly outdoors. Open daily from 11 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:15 · Red Car
About 15 minutes away. Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay from vineyards within 10 miles of the Pacific, including Red Car's own estate in Fort Ross-Seaview. The Coastal Reserve Tasting is $35, about an hour. Walk-ins welcome; open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last tasting at 4.
3:15 · Back to your hotel
Back in Occidental or Forestville by 3:40 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Freeman is by appointment only, so we confirm the tasting time when we book.
About $105 to $125 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Every tour is custom. This day is a starting point: your chauffeur will shape it around what matters to you, and we plan multi-day tours for guests who want to see more of wine country.
Your Vehicle & Six-Hour Tour Rates
Up to 6 guests
Elite Luxury SUV
Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade
From $750
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $125 each.
Up to 9 guests
Jet Sprinter or Executive Luxury Van
Captain's chairs and room to spread out
From $1,350
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $225 each.
Larger groups travel in more than one vehicle, and we plan the winery appointments around your group, since many wineries limit groups to 6 to 8 guests. Tasting fees are separate and paid directly to each winery. Every tour starts with six hours; add time by the hour when you book.
Questions
Do I need a reservation at Freeman?
Yes. All Freeman tastings are by appointment. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Freeman?
$50 per person for the Estate Cave Tasting or the Redwood Grove Tasting, $75 for the Cave Library Tasting and $30 for the Fall Escape tastings Monday to Thursday, as of September 2026.
Who makes the wine at Freeman?
Akiko Freeman, who founded the winery with her husband, Ken, in 2001 and learned winemaking from consulting winemaker Ed Kurtzman.
Can I bring my dog to Freeman?
Yes, to the Redwood Grove tastings, which are dog friendly. Kids and dogs are also welcome at the Redwood Grove Lawn, where wine is served by the bottle.
How many people can visit Freeman together?
Up to 6 per tasting. Larger groups email the winery to arrange a visit.
How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?
Reserve a six-hour tour online, even if your plans are still taking shape. Your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Extra hours can be added.
Reserve Your Tour Now, Plan the Details Later
Your plans don't need to be final to book. Reserve your six-hour tour online, and your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Prefer to talk? Call our concierge at 888-291-2328.
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